Daegu indie band Inae Kkum proved the potential of local indie music on the global stage during a European tour through the U.K., Sweden and Northern Ireland.
The band kicked off the tour in Belfast on April 30, performed at the Liverpool Sound City Festival on May 3, and closed the run with a show in Norrköping, Sweden.
With a distinctive blend of post-rock and synth-pop, Inae Kkum won over local audiences, and observers say the tour confirmed their ability to break into the European market.
The tour was organized as part of cultural exchanges within UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network for Music, with support from the nonprofit Indie053, Daegu City and other local partners. Organizers say the project created a model for regional musicians to enter the global music ecosystem and collaborate with overseas partners.
“We gained confidence that our sound can resonate in the European market,” the band said. “We hope more local musicians will have opportunities to perform abroad.”
Shin Dong-woo, head of planning at Indie053, said the designation of Daegu as a UNESCO City of Music hasn’t yet translated into many tangible opportunities for the local indie scene. “I hope this tour becomes a stepping-stone for regional indie musicians to reach global audiences,” he said.
